Srinagar: Prominent political figures from Jammu and Kashmir, including National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah, Peoples Democratic Party President Mehbooba Mufti, and CPI-M leader M Y Tarigami, have openly criticized the Indian government following the detention of renowned climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and his associates by Delhi Police. The arrests occurred as Wangchuk led a peaceful march from the Ladakh region to New Delhi, advocating for enhanced regional autonomy under the Sixth Schedule.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the leaders expressed their dissent through various platforms. Omar Abdullah voiced his frustration on social media, criticizing the government’s priorities by highlighting its inability to prevent foreign incursions while detaining peaceful Indian protesters. He pointed out the broken promises to the people of Ladakh as the catalyst for Wangchuk’s march to the capital.
Mehbooba Mufti also spoke out on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the suppression of the fundamental right to protest and voicing solidarity with the people of Ladakh against what she termed an “onslaught on our identity and resources.”
M Y Tarigami echoed these sentiments, labeling the detentions as indicative of the Modi government’s disregard for democratic freedoms. Wangchuk, along with approximately 120 others, was detained at the Singhu border during their ‘Delhi Chalo Padyatra,’ which began in Leh a month prior. The march aimed to draw attention to Ladakh’s demand for Sixth Schedule status, which would afford the region greater administrative autonomy and protection of its resources.
The incident has sparked widespread criticism and discussions about the state of democratic freedoms under the current Indian administration, with many leaders and citizens questioning the justification for detaining peaceful protesters.